As Wang Haoran was communicating with the system, Xu Muyan entered the classroom.
Chu Bai quickly shifted his gaze from Wang Haoran and, with a loud, exaggerated laugh, rushed toward Xu Muyan.
At some point, Chu Bai had shaved off his previously long hair, leaving only a half-inch buzz cut.
This new hairstyle, combined with his otherwise ordinary features, did little to conceal the glaring imperfections of his face.
Chu Bai, whose appearance was average at best, was now in a rather pitiful state.
His loud laugh sounded more like that of a clown than anything else.
However, without a mirror in sight, he seemed completely unaware of how ridiculous he appeared.
"Student Xu, you're here. Morning class will begin soon. I have many study questions I need your guidance on. Do you have time?" Chu Bai flashed a warm smile at Xu Muyan.
"Yes, I do."
As the class monitor and a kind-hearted girl, Xu Muyan would never refuse a classmate asking for help with their studies.
"Come on, go to your seat. I'll help you carry your school bag," Chu Bai offered enthusiastically.
"There's no need," Xu Muyan shook her head.
"If you hadn't helped me catch up on my missed lessons, there's no way my grades would've improved from the bottom ten of the class to the middle. Helping you with small things like this is the least I can do."
"That's only because you're naturally smart. What I explained to you was no different from what the teacher taught in class. As long as you keep paying attention, your grades will continue to improve."
"No, no. The real reason I can focus so well in your lectures is because… you're beautiful."
Xu Muyan couldn't help but feel a little shy at his unexpected compliment.
Seizing the moment, Chu Bai reached out to take her school bag, deliberately positioning his hand to "accidentally" brush against hers.
But his attempt failed.
Watching the scene unfold, Wang Haoran couldn't help but sigh.
He had to admit—bold and playful guys often had an advantage when it came to chasing girls at a young age. And that was exactly what Chu Bai was doing.
However, Wang Haoran knew the truth. The real reason behind Chu Bai's sudden academic improvement wasn't hard work or intelligence—it was his X-Ray Vision.
He must have cheated on the last exam.
Asking Xu Muyan for help with his homework was nothing more than an excuse to get closer to her.
Now that Wang Haoran had seen through this ploy, there was no way he would sit back and ignore it.
Just as Chu Bai followed Xu Muyan to her seat, Wang Haoran casually approached, holding an exercise book in his hand. Without hesitation, he spoke up.
Xu Muyan, you finished the math homework from yesterday, right?"
"I did, but I'm not sure if my answers are correct," Xu Muyan replied. Since she no longer disliked Wang Haoran, she answered him naturally.
"I got an answer too, but I'm not sure if it's right either. Want to compare and discuss it?"
"Sure." Xu Muyan nodded.
Student Xu, I was here first!" Chu Bai interrupted.
"Just wait a moment," Xu Muyan replied. She wanted to discuss the math problem with Wang Haoran first.
The problem was particularly difficult—far beyond the standard high school curriculum. Only top students could even attempt it.
It was the kind of question that required extra effort, best tackled after class. Since Wang Haoran had brought it up, Xu Muyan was naturally happy to discuss it with him.
Chu Bai, on the other hand, was left standing awkwardly to the side. He couldn't understand a single word of their discussion—it all sounded like incomprehensible "heavenly scriptures" to him.
Noticing Chu Bai's stiff and clueless expression, Wang Haoran couldn't help but chuckle as he continued his conversation with Xu Muyan.
Engaged in a shared topic of interest, Wang Haoran and Xu Muyan—both top students—felt an increasing sense of familiarity with each other.
The handsome boy and the beautiful girl gradually fell into a natural rhythm of discussion, occasionally exchanging smiles and laughter.
Anyone passing by could tell they were simply talking about subject . However, from a distance, the scene was less clear, leading many students to mistakenly assume they were flirting.
Sensing an opportunity, Wang Haoran deliberately prolonged the conversation. Completely absorbed in the discussion, Xu Muyan unknowingly ignored Chu Bai's presence.
Meanwhile, the morning class was about to begin.
"Wang Haoran, you came here just to discuss the problem with Xu Muyan, didn't you? But you're not really interested in reviewing it. This discussion is just an excuse—your real goal is to get close to her. If you think this will work, you're nothing but a hypocrite!"
Chu Bai could no longer hold back and interrupted their conversation with his sharp accusation.
Upon hearing this, Wang Haoran simply smiled.
This guy had used missed lectures as an excuse to get close to Xu Muyan and acted as if it was completely justified.
But now that Wang Haoran was doing the same, he suddenly had a problem with it?
Did this guy really have to be so unfair?
Chu Bai, you're misunderstanding Wang Haoran," Xu Muyan frowned.
Earlier, Wang Haoran had made it clear that he was focused on his studies and had no ulterior motives toward her. He even warned his younger classmates not to spread baseless rumors.
Being naturally kind-hearted, Xu Muyan chose to believe him.
"I'm not mistaken," Chu Bai insisted. "He couldn't stand that you were helping me with my studies. Yesterday, he sent his little lackeys to block my way after school. He told me that you belonged to him and warned me to stay away from you."
Xu Muyan's eyes widened in surprise as she turned to Wang Haoran.
"I didn't send them. Fan Jian and the others acted on their own," Wang Haoran explained calmly.
But did it really matter whether he had done it or not?
Even if he had, his answer would have been the same.
After all—he was the Villain.
Villains always resorted to unethical methods to achieve their goals, and lying was second nature to them.
"If you're a real man, admit what you've done!" Chu Bai demanded, his voice rising. He wanted to create a scene—forcing Wang Haoran to confess so that Xu Muyan would grow wary and distance herself from him.
But Wang Haoran remained calm.
"You're not telling the whole story," he countered. "Fan Jian and the others did block your way, but in the end, they were the ones who got beaten up. Don't you have anything to say about that?"
Chu Bai snorted triumphantly. "Of course. That's only natural. How could a few weaklings be my match?"
He couldn't help but feel a hint of pride as he spoke.
Chu Bai was a poor student who frequently skipped class and hung out with the wrong crowd. Fights were bound to happen, and through countless brawls, he honed his combat skills, becoming increasingly ruthless in his attacks.
Wang Haoran called Fan Jian into the classroom.
"Take off your hat and let Xu Muyan see your face."
Fan Jian wasn't the smartest, but he understood what his boss was doing—exposing Chu Bai in front of Xu Muyan. Without hesitation, he removed his hat, revealing his bruised nose and swollen face.
Xu Muyan, who had seen Fan Jian's injuries before, finally understood the reason behind them. She frowned.
"Why… why were you beaten like this?" she asked.
Fan Jian sighed. "This is nothing. Fan Tong and Qin Shousheng got it even worse. We even knelt and begged for mercy, but it was useless—Chu Bai still chased us down and beat us up."
He rubbed his bruised face, looking so miserable he was on the verge of tears.
Chu Bai, however, remained indifferent. "You got what you deserved."
Even if Fan Jian and the others provoked you, don't you think your response was a bit excessive?" Wang Haoran asked.
Chu Bai scoffed. "I didn't break their hands or feet. If anything, they should be grateful I showed mercy."
In his mind, he had handled the situation fairly and hadn't gone overboard.
Xu Muyan frowned.
Most girls disliked violence, and she was no exception.
But caught up in the satisfaction of beating Fan Jian, Chu Bai failed to notice the subtle shift in Xu Muyan's expression.
Wang Haoran, however, saw it clearly—and it pleased him.
To continue....